“How did it go?” the sergeant asked the corporal.
“It went well,” grinned Bork. “By morning the whole garrison will be talking furtively about the possibility of going up against the dwarves.”
“As long as the tales do not make their way to the ears of the officers,” cautioned Zack. “You did warn them that their officers would punish them?”
“I did,” Bork assured the Alcean spymaster.
“Excellent,” smiled the sergeant. “Be off with you to another tavern.”
“There is something else that requires your attention this night,” stated Bork without breaking away from the sergeant’s side. “Cobb thinks he has found that special someone that you have been looking for.”
“Oh?” Zack halted and turned to face the corporal. “Tell me about it.”
Bork looked around to see if anyone was within hearing before speaking softly.
“The man is a sergeant in the 16th Corps under General Vladin. He makes numerous trips into the Royal Palace as part of his duties.”
“That works for the plan,” stated Zack. “What is the hook?”
“He has a gambling problem,” answered Bork, “a big gambling problem. He has been borrowing gold out of the paymaster’s funds when no one is looking. He has always managed to replace the stolen funds before the soldiers returned from the field, but things have gotten out of hand. He lost big today, and tonight he learned that the soldiers will be returning tomorrow, several days ahead of schedule. He does not have the gold to replace what he stole.”